The nation's President Sheinbaum has firmly rejected allegations that the United States is considering to deploy military forces into the country to combat powerful cartels, stating that she has consistently declined such proposals from President Trump.
“This will not occur,” the President stated during her daily morning press briefing on that day. “We are opposed to any process of interventionism or external interference.”
Context on the Reports
The President's comments come after a news story citing current and former US officials that the Trump administration has started planning for a operation to deploy American military personnel and intelligence officers into the neighboring nation.
This information indicated that although the mission was not immediate and no final decision had been reached, the early stages of training had commenced along with discussions about the extent of the deployment.
Additionally, the report mentioned that US troops would function under the jurisdiction of the US intelligence community, and that officers from the Central Intelligence Agency would take part as well.
Mexico's Response
But the Mexican leader was insistent that her country had “lack of details” about such a planned intervention, although she acknowledged that in conversations with Trump, he had proposed to dispatch military support and other assistance to tackle organized crime.
“I’ve always said my gratitude, President Trump. But no, our country is a free, sovereign and sovereign country,” the President affirmed.
Past Collaboration and Present Strains
The two nations have historically worked together in addressing drug-trafficking groups, with the US at times sending CIA, armed forces and DEA operatives to support the country's initiatives to fight organized crime.
But the incursion of US troops into Mexico to directly confront the drug lords, particularly without Mexico's agreement, would be an unprecedented step that would almost certainly damage an fragile bilateral relationship.
Recent Actions and Understandings
The US government has designated confronting drug-trafficking groups a key element of its international strategy: in February, Washington designated six Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
Additionally, it has initiated a multiple strikes against suspected drug-trafficking boats, most recently striking vessels in the Pacific Ocean that resulted in the deaths of 14 alleged traffickers in late October.
While Mexico rescued a survivor from the attack, the President criticized the strikes and instructed officials from her administration to discuss them with the US ambassador to the nation.
On Tuesday, Sheinbaum also noted that the country had finalized a security agreement with the United States that was negotiated over several months.
“We are going to continue working within this cooperative structure, which has very clear principles … which honors our sovereignty and our territoriality.”
Sheinbaum's Position on Security Strategy
The Mexican president has also seemed less enthusiastic on military-focused drug combat strategies than her predecessors: on the previous day, she ruled out any changes to the nation's security strategy despite the recent brutal killing of a mayor in western Mexico.
“Some are calling for militarization and armed conflict, as happened with the anti-drug campaign,” she said. “That didn’t work.”
